78R6915 GWK-D

By:  Allen                                                        H.B. No. 1853


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the operation and maintenance of facilities of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and to the operation of certain department industries. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 493, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 493.0054 to read as follows: Sec. 493.0054. MANUFACTURING AND LOGISTICS DIVISION. The manufacturing and logistics division shall perform tasks assigned the division by the board and also perform all tasks at the department related to: (1) the construction and maintenance of department facilities; and (2) the vocational education of inmates. SECTION 2. Section 497.024, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsections (d) and (e) to read as follows: (d) This section applies to the department in the same manner as it applies to other agencies of the state. (e) The office at least once each year shall determine whether there are articles or products needed by the department that are not produced by but could be produced by the office. SECTION 3. Section 497.062(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) The authority may certify any number of private sector prison industries programs that meet or exceed the requirements of federal law and the rules of the authority[, but in no event may the authority permit more than 2,000 participants in the program at any one time]. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.